Chapter 77

In the end, it was decided that Ariel would be the one to bring the Saintess from the Imperial Capital.

Rakia and Lionel couldn’t leave their posts because they had to maintain the barrier.

Anyway, Ariel’s goal was adventure.

It didn’t seem like a bad idea to take this opportunity to explore the Imperial Capital. Of course, since time was of the essence, she would have to make it quick.

“Thank you, Ariel.”

Lionel said.

“It’s not even your job, yet you stepped up to help… I must have misunderstood you a bit. I disliked you earlier, but now you seem kind. No wonder Rakia looks up to you as her teacher.”

At Lionel’s words, Ariel smiled slightly and approached him.

She was about to say, “If you’re grateful, let me touch your beard,” when Rakia spoke up.

“Brother, how about giving Ariel a Teleport Scroll?”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. She’ll have no choice but to go the normal way, but when she returns, she can just tear the Teleport Scroll and arrive right back here.”

Lionel grumbled as he walked toward the wall.

There was a large drawer-like cabinet there, and when he opened it, it was filled with various items.

Ariel also approached, and Lionel began rummaging through the items.

“Let’s see, there should be a Teleport Scroll that mother made somewhere…”

At that moment, Ariel spotted a sword among the items.

She lifted the sword with telekinesis.

She was worried Lionel might hurt himself while rummaging. Like cutting his hand or something.

“Ah, don’t touch that sword!”

Lionel shouted and quickly snatched the sword away.

His sudden intense reaction drew everyone’s attention.

Lionel hurriedly hid the sword behind his back.

“This, this is something you shouldn’t touch…”

“Oh, that sword, it’s been a while, brother.”

Rakia said.

“That’s the sword you made yourself, right? You said you wanted to create a legendary weapon that could rival the Hero’s Sword…”

“Quiet!”

Lionel shouted.

Roo quietly spoke up.

“…The Hero’s Sword is a divine weapon, isn’t it? Can you really make something that rivals it?”

“I don’t know. Brother once said he wanted to become a Dwarf blacksmith and make weapons himself. What was it he said back then? A Dwarf blacksmith is someone with unyielding will, carving out their own destiny…”

“Rakia!”

Lionel rushed toward Rakia. In the process, the sword he had hidden behind his back fell to the floor with a clatter.

“Stop talking!”

Lionel covered Rakia’s mouth with his thick hand. His face was bright red.

Ariel used telekinesis to lift the sword from the floor and examined it closely.

It was a crude and poorly made sword. It definitely didn’t look like the work of a Dwarf.

“……”

A smile spread across Ariel’s lips.

Not only did he polymorph into a Dwarf, but he even tried to make a sword himself. Lionel’s love for Dwarves was evident.

In that aspect, Ariel felt a sense of kinship with Lionel, and because of that, she quite liked the sword.

“Ugh, seriously, why does this keep happening…”

After quieting Rakia, Lionel walked over.

He then noticed Ariel smiling as she examined the sword he had made.

“…Go ahead, laugh all you want. It’s a shoddy sword, isn’t it? But I did my best to make it. It might not look like much to others, but I poured my heart and soul into it. Give it back.”

Lionel reached out his hand, but Ariel didn’t return the sword.

Instead, she looked up at Lionel and asked.

“Can I have it?”

“Huh…? You want my sword? Why?”

“It’s a cool sword.”

“……”

Lionel was momentarily speechless.

But soon, he looked at Ariel with a suspicious gaze.

“Do you really think my sword is cool?”

“Yeah.”

“But mother and Rakia treat it like scrap metal. You still want it?”

“Yeah.”

“…Well, fine. If you want it, I’ll give it to you. I owe you for helping with the Saintess, so consider it a reward.”

“Thank you.”

Ariel hugged the sword dearly.

Lionel, seemingly in a good mood, burst into laughter.

“Kuhahaha, you recognized the true value of my sword. You’ve got a good eye. You’re a pretty decent Elf! Finally, my sword has found its owner. Oh, and let me tell you the sword’s name.”

Lionel spoke with a serious expression.

“The sword’s name is Ragnarok. It carries the meaning of bringing about the end of the world. It’s a fearsome sword with destructive power. Do you see the mana stone on the back of the hilt? Put your hand on it.”

Ariel did as Lionel instructed.

Then, a red light, like blood, erupted from the sword.

“Whoa!”

Roo exclaimed.

“That’s amazing! What is that light?”

Rakia sighed softly beside him.

“It’s just light. It has no power. It’s just for show.”

“……”

Lionel flinched slightly but then looked at Ariel with a serious face again.

“When the red light erupts from Ragnarok, it unleashes a power strong enough to bring about the end of the world… That’s the setting. So, be careful when using that red light. Don’t take it lightly.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Ariel removed her finger from the mana stone on the hilt.

The red light disappeared, and Ragnarok returned to being a crude sword.

“Ehehe.”

Lionel chuckled darkly.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what Ragnarok will do. The continent will be turned upside down…”

“Brother, did you find the Teleport Scroll?”

“Oh, right.”

Lionel began rummaging through the drawer again.

*

Ragnarok was quite large for Ariel’s body, so she had to carry it on her back instead of her waist.

Ariel, like a warrior, strapped Ragnarok to her back in its scabbard and looked at everyone.

“Then, I’ll be back.”

She had thoroughly memorized the location of the Imperial Capital from the map.

Since she planned to fly quickly through the sky using telekinesis, she decided to leave Ghost, Black, and Roo behind and go alone.

“Take care of yourself. If anyone causes trouble, you know what to do, right? Just draw Ragnarok.”

The golden-bearded Dwarf, Lionel, said. Ariel smiled and nodded.

“Lady Ariel, thank you so much. Please be careful on your way.”

Rakia said politely.

“And this necklace, thank you so much. I really like it.”

Rakia had a shiny necklace around her neck.

It was a necklace Ariel had brought from the dungeon to give to Rakia, and fortunately, it seemed Rakia liked it.

“Big sister… Don’t cry even if you miss me.”

Roo also said.

“Don’t sleep just anywhere, don’t fight, and if someone offers you food and asks you to follow them…”

“Got it.”

Ariel reached out and ruffled Roo’s head.

Then she ruffled Rakia’s head, petted Ghost and Black’s chins, and even sneakily stroked Lionel’s beard before turning around.

With light steps, she left the lair, and a cold breeze brushed past her cheek.

Ariel’s silver hair fluttered in the wind, reflecting a dazzling light.

Ariel looked up and gazed in the direction of the Imperial Capital.

Then, she stomped the ground.

*

The Imperial Capital, surrounded by majestic walls.

Beyond the walls, the towering spires and the Imperial Palace could be seen.

And the Cathedral, where the Saintess resided, was located in the center of the city.

After confirming the capital from the sky, Ariel descended to the ground.

She would have liked to fly all the way to the Cathedral, but unfortunately, the Imperial Capital had a magical barrier preventing flight.

It was to prevent invasions by the Demon King’s Army.

Ariel decided not to tamper with or break the barrier and instead pass through the city gate.

She didn’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble.

The capital’s gate was indeed imposing.

Tall marble pillars adorned both sides, and burly soldiers with stern expressions monitored those entering and exiting.

A line had formed in front of the gate.

There were nobles in lavish attire, merchants carrying heavy loads, and curious-looking travelers.

Ariel quietly joined the line.

“Hey, it’s an Elf.”

“She’s carrying a sword on her back… Is she an adventurer?”

“She looks too young for that. Is she a slave?”

People around her whispered as they looked at Ariel, but she just stood straight, looking ahead.

In her mind, she was thinking about dessert.

Although her goal was to bring the Saintess, since she was in the Imperial Capital, she wanted to try the most delicious dessert the capital had to offer.

“Hey, kid.”

Someone tapped her shoulder from behind.

“What’s an Elf doing in a human city? Shouldn’t you be holed up in the forest?”

The tone was almost like picking a fight.

“And what’s with the sword on your back? Can you even swing that thing? Hahaha.”

“Leave her alone. She’s probably just pretending to be an adventurer. But still, that sword is too crude. Did you pick it up from some blacksmith’s trash?”

“Hey, don’t ignore us. Maybe it’s a legendary sword with terrifying power. Pfft.”

“Hahaha.”

Ariel quietly looked at them.

They were a group of mercenaries. Each one was large and had a rough appearance.

Their muscular arms, rough skin, and scarred faces showed signs of battle.

“Kid, how about this?”

One of the mercenaries asked with a sneer.

“Let’s duel. If you’re a brave adventurer, you won’t back down, right? The loser becomes the winner’s subordinate. You’ll do whatever I say. How about it? Will you accept my duel, brave adventurer, honorable Elf?”